Free Stroke of Luck by Trixie Stilletto Page B

the world, so it’s only to be expected. Of course, with your connections at the WNO, I’m not surprised you’re here as well.”
    Annalisa bristled. He was implying that she wasn’t one of the top photographers and that the only reason she was here—both at the event and at the hotel—was because of her uncle. Annalisa was surprised by this attitude from Jason, who had never been openly hostile before. She’d always thought he was attracted to her—now she was reassessing that assumption.
    “Whatever, Jason,” she said, deciding her best tactic was simply to walk away. She had more important things to do. As she moved to pass him, however, he grabbed her arm roughly.
    “You will not dismiss me,” he said.
    Annalisa was stunned. “Dismiss you? You’re not my boss, my father or my friend. All you are is an annoyance.”
    “All I’ve ever tried to do is help you,” Jason said. “You’re young and inexperienced. I could have made you a better photographer.”
    “No, Jason—I was a better photographer than you with the first picture I took. I always treated you with respect. I thought you did the same to me, but something has changed. What?”
    “Look, I just don’t want you messing up your career by getting involved with the athletes,” he said. He was still holding her arm and it was starting to be uncomfortable. She wasn’t afraid of him—she was too angry for that.
    A light went off in Annalisa’s head. Now she knew what this was about. It wasn’t about professional envy. This was personal.
    “Look, Jason, I don’t need a father or a brother and I’ve certainly never indicated that I was interested in anything of a personal nature with you,” she said. She wished she’d started this off a little more forcefully, but she truly didn’t wish to be mean even if Jason was being a baby, throwing up work issues when he was really just jealous of her personally.
    “Oh no—you’ve ignored me for years, yet you drop your pants for the first jock you run into,” Jason said.
    Okay, no more Miss Nice Girl , Annalisa thought.
    “Oh, I’ve heard enough,” she said.
    “Yes, we both have.” Robert’s strong voice broke over Annalisa and Jason. “I would strongly suggest you let go of her arm. Now.”
    Jason’s grip tightened painfully and Annalisa gasped. “Now,” Robert said. “I won’t tell you again.”
    Annalisa pulled her arm back to her body. She didn’t know whether that move surprised Jason enough to make him let her go or whether Robert’s presence was the motivation he needed. Whatever, Jason let go of her and she stumbled away from him. Robert moved so he was between them, forming a protective shield for her.
    “I can’t believe you’ve turned into such a slut,” Jason said, his voice rising in the silent hall. “Worse, you’ll never be anything more than just a feature photographer—and a poor one at that!”
    He turned and hurried away. Annalisa knew it was silly, but she was shaking. She had no reason to be upset. She truly didn’t think she’d been in any danger. Robert’s arms came around her and she turned from shaking to shivering.
    “He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Robert was warm, strong and so very dear to her, she realized. The tide of emotion rising in her made it hard for her to speak. “Damn it, I should have clocked that jackass instead of just threatening him.”
    She shook her head but since he’d pulled her tightly against him, she was moving it against his chest. “No,” she said, her voice soft. She cleared her throat and tried again, this time she was successful with the sound. “I’m okay.”
    Robert eased back so he could see her face. “You’re sure?”
    “Yes. I just wasn’t prepared for that from Jason. It never occurred to me that he would be so fixated. We’ve barely spoken to each other.”
    “I was wondering about that,” Robert said. “The way it looked when I first opened the door, I thought you guys were having an intimate